October 30 - November 2, 2018 Firearms, Militaria, & Sporting
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/31/2018
This musket almost certainly has seen American use during the Revolutionary War. All British markings were intentionally removed during the period of use. There are several period repairs that are crude and indicate American use, including a small repair to the stock using a rose nail and a crudely replaced top jaw and top jaw screw. In addition, the left side of the buttstock is carved "AB 1777". The full length round tapered steel barrel no longer shows any traced of British proof marks. It still retains it iron bayonet stud on top near the muzzle. The rounded British lockplate has traces of its original borders, but the markings have been intentionally removed. The frizzen spring and top jaw have been replaced using components which are either American made or from other muskets. Brass furniture including heavily cast convex Brown Bess trigger guard, flat serpentine Brown Bess sideplate, and two brass ramrod furls. The walnut stock still shows British inspector marks on the right side of the buttstock and behind the trigger guard tang. The stock is unusual, however, as it has no ramrod entry ferrule, and was made this way. About 12-1/2" of the forend have been replace during the period of use. The musket is complete with a period American made steel ramrod. CONDITION: Shows heavy use overall. Barrel retains a freckled salt and pepper patina with some heavy corrosion near the touchhole. The lock appears to be in its original flintlock configuration and retains a freckled gray patina. The cock has had some repairs made to it. Brass furniture shows scattered marks from use, sideplate is cracked through between the two screws and one ramrod furl has some losses. The stock shows heavy edge wear and has several areas of losses, cracking, or damage due to heavy use. Interestingly, the musket was made without a wrist escutcheon and without an entry ferrule, but does have the typical Brown Bess carving around the barrel tang, and the bulge on the forarm. This musket tells an interesting story of American use during the Revolutionary War.
Caliber/Bore
.79 Smoothbore
Model
2nd Model Brown Bess